Senator Bond Praises Boeing Workers in St. Louis
Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Mo.) praised the work of local Boeing employees and pledged his support for the company's F-15 industry team in its bid to build Singapore's newest fighter.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO Jim Albaugh shared Senator Bond's message with F-15 employees during a meeting here today.
In a letter to Albaugh, Bond said, "the recent decision by the Singapore Air Force to name the F-15 as one of three finalists is good news for Missouri and the Boeing F-15 industry team."
The Boeing F-15 had been one of six aircraft under consideration, and is the only U.S.-built fighter left in the competition.
"There is no question that if Singapore chooses to go with the proven winner that they will chose to go with the F-15. . .one of the most capable strike fighters in the world and the only competitor that has been proven in combat -- time and time again with an unbeaten record," Bond wrote.
Talking to a packed room, Albaugh recalled comments made by President George W. Bush earlier this year.
"The F-15 is the standard by which modern fighters are measured," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "It is the finest multirole fighter available in the international marketplace, and those countries who want the best have consistently selected the F-15.
"As President Bush stated during his visit to Boeing in April, 'the successes of our military began right here on the factory floor.' I couldn't be more proud of the men and women of Boeing who consistently demonstrate quality workmanship and dedication to providing the best products for the United States and its allies," Albaugh said.
The Boeing F-15T Strike Eagle, Boeing's entry into the Singapore competition, is based on the F-15E, the most capable multirole fighter in the U.S. Air Force inventory. Boeing has produced more than 1,500 F-15s during the past three decades. Most recently, the Republic of Korea selected the F-15K as the winner of its FX competition. Japan, Israel and Saudi Arabia also operate significant F-15 fleets.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $25 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-base communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
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